Bilberry: Eye Health in a Berry

"The Plant Detective," March 1st, 2014: Bilberry is attracted by the pigment in our eyes, and once there, it acts as a powerful antioxidant while improving circulation and strengthening capillaries and cell walls. In Europe, it's part of conventional treatment for macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and more.

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February 22nd, 2014: In traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese star anise is prescribed for colicky babies and sluggish digestion. But today, it's also a source of shikimic acid, a precursor in the pharmaceutical synthesis of Tamiflu, one of the only treatments right now for avian influenza. Japanese star anise, Illicium anisatum, a similar tree, is highly toxic and inedible.

February 15th, 2014: Milk thistle is both a noxious weed and the tenth best-selling medicinal herb in the U.S. Its role in protecting the liver points to the scope of its potential. Research is ongoing into its ability to protect against prostate and skin cancer, enhance certain cancer drugs, prevent some side effects of chemotherapy, protect against damage from UV light, and more.

February 1st, 2014: Fragrant and medicinal, lavender can affect people's alertness and mood. Depending on the species, it can stimulate or calm, sharpen or soothe. It's helpful in treating anxiety and sleep disturbances.

January 11th, 2014: Compounds in the beloved spice show activity against Type-2 diabetes among people with insulin resistance; cinnamon may resensitize cells to insulin. Researchers are studying cinnamon as well for its effects on HIV, colorectal cancer, multiple sclerosis and Alheimer's disease.

January 4th, 2014: From old wives' tales to pharmaceutical. Compounds in digitalis treat atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure, restoring the heart's ability to process fluids. Lanoxin - from the species, Digitalis lanata - remains one of the top cardiovascular drugs in the U.S.

December 28th & 30th, 2013:Prized as incense, myrrh plays a role in the ceremonies of many religions, but also in medicine. Its antimicrobial qualities have made it useful for treating wounds, infection, inflammation, and candida - and today, it's found in toothpastes.

December 21st & 23rd, 2013:For millenia throughout the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, resinous nuggets from the frankincense tree have made fragrant and insecticidal smoke when burned. Frankincense is considered sacred as well as medicinal, but today, the trees aren't reproducing.

December 14th & 16th, 2013: The twisted root of the Asian plant Rauwolfia is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for hypertension and insanity. As the modern anti-psychotic and blood pressure drug Reserpine, 1970s studies linked it to serious side effects, but recently, it's made a comeback as a valuable hypertensive.

November 23rd & 25th, 2013: Licorice is an important shrub around the world, treating many ailments. The chemicals contained in licorice are thought to decrease swelling, thin mucus secretions, decrease cough, and increase the chemicals in our body that heal ulcers.

November 9th & 11th, 2013: Henbane is the source of the drug hyoscyamine, the alkaloid that put Juliet to sleep and poisoned Hamlet's father. In proper doses, it helps relieve gastrointestinal disorders, heart problems, and symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

November 2nd & 4th, 2013: Belladonna, or deadly nightshade, is reputed to have poisoned Emperor Augustus, but in spite of its name, the scopolamine nightshade contains is medicinal, inducing sleep and calming motion sickness. http://www.floradelaterre.com/